A Ballynahinch couple are to star in a new UTV series about married life.
Bongi and Claire Lolwana from Ballynahinch are one of ten married couples in the new six part series called ‘With This Ring’ which start next Thursday. They will be sharing their views on the trials and tribulations of married life in Northern Ireland.
Bongi is from South Africa, and Claire is originally from Belfast, and fell in love while she was doing charity work there. He was living in a township and Claire was on a charity mission with Youth for Christ. They fell in love and courted long distance for over nine months.
All the couples have their own unique story with all being open and honest about their relationships. From a couple who have just tied the knot to a couple who have been married for 70 years (and everything in between,) we will be chatting through the highs and laughing at the lows in what can only be described as the rollercoaster of married life.
Also taking part are Stafford and Jean, both wheelchair users who’ve undergone IVF and had a son. Matt and Jenny, who met on Tinder talk of their rocky start, while hairdresser Mark from Belast and ex-River dancer Ciaran from New Zealand tell their story. And among the laughs there are a few stony silences between Rhonda and Robbie from Fermanagh, who get a few things off their chest!
From love at first sight to the birth of a child; from teenage tantrums to the dreaded in-laws; from wedding anniversaries to annoying habits; over the series, we’ll find out what the secrets are to wedded bliss and, ultimately, whether romance is still alive and kicking for our couples here in Northern Ireland.
Terry Brennan, Head of News and Programmes at UTV said: “This series is a fun, light-hearted and touching look at the trials and tribulations of married life. The series will provide us with an A to Z of a lifetime of memories together.”
Couples have gone through tough times together – from the loss of loved ones, unemployment, religious differences, right through to fertility issues.
However, the series is sure to strike a chord with viewers as the couples look at the lighter side of life and the things that drive them nuts about each other. From leaving the toilet seat up to never doing the washing-up – we will enjoy the banter between the couple as they reveal some of their most annoying habits.
We meet all the couples relaxing on their own sofas, sharing their stories and thoughts. Through their anecdotes, home movie footage and old photos we will discover what life was like back when our couples tied the knot and how they have endured one another to the present day.
‘With this Ring’ is produced for UTV by Belfast-based independent company Triplevision Productions and is sponsored by Ellison’s Jeweller’s Belfast.
The series starts Thursday 18th October on UTV at 10.45pm and runs for six weeks.
